Top 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before a Major Life Change

There's no denying that life is full of changes. Sometimes the changes in our life are things we choose to do voluntarily, and other times we don't have a choice. When we decide to change, we are being proactive in improving our lives. Sometimes it is because our minds feel cluttered and we need a change of pace, or maybe it is because our creativity feels drained and we need a change of scenery.

When you decide to make a major change, it's important to ask yourself these questions:

Are you passionate about what you're doing?

If the change you're making in your life is voluntary, ask yourself if you're passionate about what you're doing. If it's trying something new like a different career path, it's important you feel passionate about it. Why? If you're not, you'll be easily distracted by things that are unrelated to what you're supposed to be doing and you'll likely find yourself feeling unfulfilled, maybe even depressed. Avoid all of that by making sure you're passionate about what you're embarking on.

Are you prepared for what you're doing?

It's always best to be prepared before making a major life change. For example, if you're thinking about switching jobs but you're living paycheck to paycheck and you have responsibilities like a family to take care of, do you have money in savings to fall back on in case things with your new employer don't work out?

Do you have the support system you need?

Going through changes in life is hard to do alone. Sometimes when we're in a transitional period of our lives it's easy to lose focus or feel overwhelmed. Having someone to keep you accountable and talk to you when you're feeling overwhelmed or in a slump can make a huge difference in the likelihood of your transition being successful.

How will it affect those around you?

Do you have a family? Are you close with your friends? When we make changes in our lives and we begin a transitional phase, it can be easy to lose track of where we stand with our loved ones. Maybe the change you're making will lessen the time you can spend with your friends. Or maybe what you're doing will influence your family in some way. Make sure you're staying self-aware during this transitional period of your life.

Is it the right time?

Patience is a virtue, and one of the hardest lessons to learn in life. If you're about to embark on a major life change it is important to ask yourself if it's the right time. If you're not mentally and emotionally ready for what you're about to do then consider waiting until you are. If you wait until you're ready, you will increase the chances of your transition being successful. Try making a list of criteria you want to meet before you embark on your next transition.

Change is an important part of life, and the transitional period between Point A and Point B can be the deciding factor of your success. If you're passionate about what you're doing, if you're prepared for what could happen, if you've got the support you need, if you have an idea of how your change will affect those around you and you know it's the right time, then make the changes you want to make to ensure you're living a happy and fulfilled life.